City of Roses Music Festival

Music is the universal language that crosses all barriers and it was enjoyable to hear the variety of music offered at the fifth annual City of Roses Music Festival. The weekend was an eclectic gathering of musical talent. With over 50 bands performing everything from blues, gospel, pop and heavy metal -there really was something for everyone.

The utilization of Riverfront Park's amphitheater featuring a giant, yellow barge as the main stage was an added treat this year. In addition to the riverfront, the clubs and restaurants were also bustling with entertainment and good food & libations were plentiful. The event is a huge undertaking and our hats are off to the festival committee and all the volunteers who make it possible.

While there was so much more to cover than space allows, we've included highlights of some of the performances:

LEE OSKAR

Review by Donna Denson

Oskar kicked off the festival with a pre-view concert held at the university. Backed up by Brad Graham and the Rapco Blues Band, Oskar delighted the audience with his fiery harmonica playing. I didn't know a harmonica could make such a wide range of sounds and was quite impressed.

In addition to playing a mean harmonica, Oskar is quite the philanthropist. "He's so talented, but really a very humble person," said COR coordinator,Tina Graham. "He met Brad (Graham) a year ago and they've become friends. Lee just volunteered his services for the cause."

Oskar donated five of his own harmonicas to raise money for three music scholarships endowed by the festival. The scholarships were established last year in the names of longtime and well-known Cape Girardeau musicians Homer Gilbert and the late William Shivelbine and Eddie Keys Sr.

THE CLASSIC ROCK ALL STARS

Review by Misty Smith

A brisk Friday night, the river with the moon's reflection as a backdrop and the seats on the stone steps right up front, close to the floating stage was the perfect setting for a music show. The Classic Rock All Stars didn't take long to tune up, they've done this many times before. With members from the old rock bands Alice Cooper, Rare Earth, Iron Butterfly and Sugar Loaf, it was quite a sight to see these guys still rockin'. They played some of their original songs, like "School's Out", "Green Eyed Lady" and many other forgotten classics. But don't think they're still not recording, they have a new CD.

Their performance was just what I expected - classic. They almost had me convinced that it was 1983, from their style of clothing to a few dance moves they busted out with. A few in the audience danced with them, as they encouraged us to remember when...They came down in the crowd at the end to meet and greet their audience, and to promote their new CD. If you like classic rock style, you would probably enjoy The Classic Rock All Stars.

RYAN HARPER

Review by Chad Armbruster

As one would expect local boy "done good" Ryan Harper and his flock put on many toe-tapping shows in the City of Roses. Playing mostly new songs off of his latest solo album Movement (available at CD Warehouse) he managed to bring the audience alive. I spoke with many audience members after his shows and the general consensus was, "They're all great musicians, but I'm just not a big fan of U2." which this statement can be true for Ryan but not a bad one. While the influence of U2, Sting and Paul Simon are recognizable in his music they aren't over bearing and only coherent if you've listen to a lot of those artists' music. If you enjoy the aforementioned performers then you'll really enjoy Ryan Harper and his group.

FUNKEY DONKEY CHEESE

Review by Chad Armbruster

The kings (and queen) of Cape's funk explosion were in full performance mode during the City of Roses. Putting on no less than 4 shows over the weekend was quite a feat for this 10 piece (and sometimes 11 or 12) ensemble of Southeast Missouri State University musicians. It's been impressive to watch these musicians grow over the past few years. However, it's becoming more noticeable that member changes are taking their toll on them. There seems to be the tightness missing from the group that was their stronghold when they first showed on the scene. But for most of the group's followers it's not anything to boycott over.

Someone worth mentioning in this star-studded cast of funkolites is the latest stand-in for the horn section, Mr. Samuel Godwin. It was great to watch this man work out his nervousness over the 2 days of the festival only to prove in the end that, yes a tuba player can scream on the trumpet.

EDDIE MONEY

Review by Donna Denson

Eddie Money came near to walking on water as he sang and danced atop a barge on the Mississippi. Money warmed the heart of the audience with favorites like "Take Me Home Tonight," "Two Tickets to Paradise" and "Baby Hold On." By the end of his set, he had most in the crowd dancing and singing along with him.

A former New York City police officer, Money said his heart was broken by the events of September 11. He even made an off-color remark saying, "I can't believe we're fighting a war with a bunch of cab drivers." Patriotism was a theme as Money switched the words from "You Can't Keep a Good Man Down" to " You Can't Keep the U.S. Down" and a group in the audience took turns waving an American flag throughout.